Of Writing Retreats and Workshops

At a writing retreat, our group met in the evening around a crackling fire trading stories and advice about writing and the publishing world. Since the rustic building at Asilomar wasn’t completely ours, another couple we didn’t know came inside to go to their room. But they stopped and sat on the stairs, encouraged by our animated and unique conversation.

The woman listened for a while and then chimed in that she, too, wrote children’s books and used to be a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.

“Used to be?” asked one of us. “Why did you stop being involved?

“The workshops were all about writing,” she said. “I know how to write. I just want to be published!”

Did she ever get published? I bet you can guess the answer to that one.

Writing Prompts:

1. Search out a writing workshop (online, at a bookstore, library, adult ed, community college, recreation department, etc.) to help your writing grow.

2. Attend author events when you can. Listening to other authors discuss their work and how they write are inspiring and can show us how we can use their methods in our work.

3. Find a writing partner and meet in person or online to talk about writing or do a writing prompt together.

4. Take yourself out for an artist’s date. Attend a concert, art show, walk in nature, and see a play or movie. Expand your universe!